Everything Spice–Coated Cheddar Cheese Ball

Name: Everything Spice–Coated Cheddar Cheese Ball
Yield: 8 Servings
Ingredients: 2 ounces pancetta, finely chopped; 1⅓ cups finely grated extra sharp cheddar; 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 scallion, thinly sliced; 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; Kosher salt; 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 shallots, thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon poppy seed; 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted; Crackers (for serving)

Bon Appétit Test Kitchen8 ServingsSource

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Everything Spice–Coated Cheddar Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 ounces pancetta, finely chopped

1⅓ cups finely grated extra sharp cheddar

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 scallion, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Kosher salt

5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

½ cup vegetable oil

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon poppy seed

1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted

Crackers (for serving)

Method

Cook pancetta in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until browned and crisp, 5–8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; let cool.

Process cheddar, cream cheese, and butter in a food processor until smooth. Pulse in scallion, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and pancetta; season with salt. Scrape mixture into a small plastic wrap–lined bowl; gather plastic around cheese, using your hands to shape into a ball. Chill until firm, 3–12 hours.

Just before serving, cook garlic in oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Add shallots to saucepan and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and crisp, 5–8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; let cool. Discard oil. Mix garlic and shallots in a medium bowl. Roll cheese ball in mixture to coat. Sprinkle with poppy seed and sesame seeds, pressing lightly to adhere. Serve with crackers.